High Five: Mankato West vs Rochester Mayo

Brian Jerzak

October 2, 2019 @ 12:03 AM

Overall, it was a dominating performance from Mankato West on Saturday night at TCO Stadium. They blew open a close game with 29 points in the second quarter and then pitched a shutout in the second half to beat Rochester Mayo going away 58-21. Here are the individuals who stood out - from my perspective – during the game. Jack Foster Mankato West quarterback Foster makes all the throws. He was accurate with his short passes and when he threw deep down the field. The senior hit post patterns over the middle and routes down the sideline. He showed touch on a fade into the end zone right before the half. It seemed like Foster preferred to stay in the pocket but can throw on the run and can tuck the ball and run when the situation called for it. Jon Sikel Mankato West wide receiver/defensive back Sikel did a little bit of everything. Defensively he was great at the corner position and was in reliable coverage almost the entire game. He got his hands on more than one ball, including an interception on an underthrown pass. He was one of Fosters' primary targets on the offensive side of the ball. The senior caught two touchdown passes and caught two two-point conversions. Sikel also made a big play in the kicking game with a momentum-killing 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Mekhi Collins Mankato West wide receiver/defensive back Collins was tough in coverage on the outside all night. His play on defense was highlighted by an interception late in the first half. Mayo tried to run a deep out, and Collins cut underneath the receiver for the interception. Collins would help the Scarlets cash in on the turnover by catching a 32-yard touchdown just before the end of the half. The Mankato West offensive line Brock Leider, Jackson Bruning, Tanner Shumski, Matt Warnke, and Logan Juliar made up the offensive front for the Scarlets. Offenses don't put up six offensive touchdowns without a dominating performance from the offensive line. While West ran the ball effectively when they needed to, this unit's strength was in the passing game. They gave Foster time to throw and kept him in a clean pocket most of the game and didn't allow a sack. Cayden Holcomb – Rochester Mayo wide receiver Let me start with his statistics for the game. 15 catches for 229 yards and a touchdown. That only tells half the story. Holcomb caught deep balls and balls across the middle. Three of his catches were worthy of a highlight reel. One deep ball he adjusted to the ball to make the catch. On another, he had to reach back and make a diving grab. His third highlight catch was a ball that deflected off two Mankato West defenders, but he was able to stay with the play and make the catch.